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Wr YM United f States Patent 3,133,354 RULEIG DEVICE Warren R. Irwin, 463 N. Ridgeland Ava, Galr Park, Ill. Filed June 27, 1962, Ser. No. 295,775

' 3 Claims. (til. 33-80) This invention relates to ruling devices, and has to do with a device for drawing parallel lines on rectangular sheets of paper or analogous materials.

Standard ruled forms having columns or spaces of conventional type are well known and extensively used. There are many instances, however, in which such conventional forms are not best suited to the intended purpose and it becomes desirable that special ruled forms having columns or spaces arranged to accommodate special conditions be provided. It is an object of my invention to provide means whereby specially ruled forms may be rapidly and accurately produced, such means also being adaptable to the. production of stencils from which corresponding ruled forms may be produced by mimeograph: ing, and so-called plates from which corresponding forms may be produced by offset printing. More particularly, the device of my invention comprises means providing two straight edges and an associated pointer or gauge device and chart whereby desired columns or spaces may be rapidly and accurately drawn or marked upon sheets of paper or. analogous materials. Further objects and advantages of my invention will appear from the detail description.

In the drawings: I

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the ruling device of my invention with a sheet of paper positioned thereon for drawing a vertical line on the paper sheet; FIGURE 2 is a sectional View taken substantially on line 2-2 of FIGURE 1, on an enlarged scale, broken away for the major portion'of the length thereof;

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the upper portion of the device with the sheet of paper shown in FIGURE 1 moved toward the right a proper distance for the drawing of a second vertical line thereon;

FIGURE 4 isa view like FIGURE 3 but with a stencil sheet shown in itsinitial position with the point of the first of a series of lines drawn thereon providing a plurality of spaces or columns of equal width respectively corresponding to a predetermined fraction of the total'width of the sheet, with the point of the pointer at the right edge of the sheet;

FIGURE 7 is aview like FIGURE 6 but with the sheet advanced toward the right such a distance that the tip of the pointer is on the first line drawn on the sheet;

FIGURE 8 is a view similar to FIGURE 6 but with'the sheet turned through 90 so as to be at right angles to its position shown in FIGURE 6 and advanced toward the right and positioned so that a transverse line drawn thereon will produce with the lengthwise lines previously drawn on the sheet rectangles the extent of which lengthwise of the sheet is respectively equal to a predetermined fractional part of the total length of the sheet; and

FIGURE 9 is a view similar to FIGURE 8 but with a transverse line drawn on the sheet and the latter moved to the right a distance such that the terminal or point of the pointer rests upon the line on the sheet preliminary to the drawing of a succeeding line thereon.

The device of my invention comprises a base board 10 which is rectangular in plan and of appropriate width and length, having top and bottom and side edges, the latter edges being perpendicular to the topand bottom edges. The base board 10 may be formed of composition board of proper stifiness or of any suitable material. A cross strip 11 is suitably secured, conveniently by riveting, to base board 10 at the top thereof, parallel with the top edge and preferably extending the full width of the base board.v Asecond strip 12 extends lengthwise of the base board 10, conveniently at about the mid-width thereof, and seats at its upper end portion on the strip 11 to which 'it is suitably secured, conveniently by riveting, the securing rivet also securing the strips 11 and 12 to the base board Ill. The lower end portion of strip 12 seats upon a spacer 13, preferably of the same thickness as the top strip II, and is secured thereto and to base board 10 by a rivet 14 similar to the rivet 15 securing the upper end of strips 11 and 12 to the base board. The lower or inner edge of the top strip 11 provides a straight'edge shoulder and the right edge of strip '12 provides a straight edge perpendicular to the straight edge of the inner edge or shoulder of strip ll. The portion of strip 11 extending to the right of strip- 12 is provided with a scale, graduated in inches and fractions thereof. Likewise strip 12 is provided adjacent its right hand edge with a scale graduated in inches and fractions thereof. A pointer or gauge 16 is pivoted at one end, by a rivet 17, to the top strip 11 and base board It At its other or free end the pointer 16 is provided with a V-shaped element or point 18. The pointer 16 may be formed of any suitable material but preferably isin the form of a narrow strip of spring steel the free or point end portion of which is bent downwardly torest upon a sheet of material on the upper face of the base board It), as will be explained more fully presently. When the pointer, which is ofmaterial length, is not in use it may be turned into position substantially parallel with and overlying the top strip 11, as shown in FIG- URE 1.

The strips 11 and 12 may be formed of wood and as elementsseparate from thebaseboard 10 andsuitably secured thereto, as above described, or may be formed of any suitable material. Itwill be understood that, if

desired, either one or bothof the strips 11 and 12 may.

be formed integrally with the base board. The strip 12 is spaced a slight distance above the upper face of the base board, as shown more clearly in FIGURE 2, providing a slot for insertion of a sheet of paper or analogous material to be advanced across the upper face of the base board 10 toward the right edge thereof for the purposeof marking upon the sheet suitably spaced lines providing thereon spaces or columns of desired width or widths, as willbe explainedmore fully presently.

It may be assumed, for purposes of descriptionflhat it is desired to provide a conventional sheet of paper 20 having side and end-edgesperpendicular to each other witha plurality of columns extending lengthwise thereof and of an inch wide. The sheet 24 is inserted beneath strip 12 with its top edge seatingagainst the edge of strip lland-itsright edge at the inch mark of the scale of strip 1]., as shown in FIGURE 1, the pointer 16 being then turned to its position shown in that figure. A line is then drawn on the sheet of paper along the right edge of strip 12, after which the sheet of paper is moved to the right to such a position that the line drawn thereon registers with the inch mark of the scale, after which a second line is drawn on the sheet parallel with the first drawn line and spaced'% of an inchtherefrom. In FIG- URE 3 the sheet of paper 20 is shown in position for drawing of the second line thereon. As will be understood, by repeating the operation, the sheet of paper may be divided into as many inch columns as desired.

Obviously, the columns need not be of uniform width and by positioning a line drawn on the sheet of paper at the proper graduation of the scale of strip 11 the next drawn line may be so spaced as to provide a column of desired width different from that of the previously formed column. Briefly, in using the device in the manner above described, columns of uniform width or of varied widths may be quickly and accurately drawn upon the sheet of paper 20 advanced toward the right beneath the strip 12. In that connection it is to be noted that strip 12 is flexible and may be pressed downwardly onto the sheet of paper 12 so as to grip the latter frictionally between strip 12 and base board 10 during the lining or marking of the paper sheet 20, etfective for assuring that the latter is held accurately in position.

The pointer 16 is used in connection with stencils or plates, above referred to. Such stencils or plates are commonly provided with a sight area enclosed by marginal lines spaced from the edges of the sheet. In FIG- URES 4 and 5, I have shown fragmentarily a stencil sheet 22 having a sight area enclosed by marginal lines including a top marginal line 23 and a right marginal line 24. It may be assumed, for purposes of description, that it is desired to divide the sight area of the sheet 22 into vertical columns each A of an inch wide, and that the right marginal line 24 is spaced /2 of an inch from the right edge of sheet 22. The sheet 22 is first positioned with its top edge seating accurately against the shoulder or inner edge of strip 11 and its right edge at the 1% inch mark on the scale of strip 11. The right edge of strip 12 will then be spaced of an inch to the left of margin line 24. The strip 12 is then pressed downward so as to hold the stencil sheet 22 in position, the pointer 16 is then turned to position with the tip of point 18 thereof resting upon the margin line 24, and a line is drawn or marked upon the stencil sheet 22 by a suitable instrument drawn along the right edge of strip 12. The pressure on strip 12 is then released and the stencil sheet 22 is advanced toward the right until the line drawn thereon is in register with the tip of point 18 of pointer 16, at which time strip 12 is pressed downward and a second line is drawn or marked on the stencil sheet 22, this second line being spaced of an inch from the first drawn line. By repeating the operation the stencil sheet 22 may be provided with any desired number of columns of equal width. At times it may be desired to provide the stencil sheet with a column of difierent width than a previously formed column. Assume, for example, that it is desired to have a column /2 inch wide adjoining a column of an inch wide. When the stencil sheet 22 is positioned for drawing the line or mark at the inner side of the latter column a light mark may be placed at the top edge of the stencil sheet preliminary to drawing the latter line. Succeeding the drawing of the line or mark for the 4 inch wide column the stencil sheet will be moved to the right until the mark at the upper edge thereof registers with the /2 inch mark on the scale of strip 11, after which the strip 12 is pressed down so as to grip the stencil sheet 22 and a line is marked on the stencil sheet by an instrument drawn along the right edge of strip 12 forming the desired /2 inch wide column. The stencil sheet 22 is then moved a further distance toward the right until the line or mark at the inner side of the /2 inch column is in register with the tip of point 18 of pointer 16 and a line is drawn along the right edge of strip 12, providing a inch wide column at the left of the /2 inch column. Succeeding columns of an inch wide may then be drawn in the manner previously described. Obviously the columns formed on the stencil sheet 22 may be all of any described uniform width or, by appropriately marking the upper edge of the stencil sheet, the latter may be provided with some columns of uniform width and other columns of different and desired widths.

The base board 10 is provided at the upper right hand corner portion thereof with a chart comprising a plurality of spaced horizontal lines extending from the right edge of strip 12 to the right edge of the base board. The respective horizontal spaces of the chart are intersected by a vertical line spaced a short distance inward from the right edge of base board 10 providing rectangular spaces or boxes at the end of the horizontal spaces. These boxes are numbered to indicate the width or length of standard sheets of paper, the first box being marked 7 /2 to indicate a sheet 7%. inches wide, the next is marked 8 /2, the next 9 etc. Each of the lower horizontal lines of the horizontal spaces is separated by short vertical lines into segments extending from the right edge of strip 12, such segments being numbered and being respectively of a length which will separate a sheet of paper of the width or length indicated in the corresponding box into columns of equal width, by lines drawn along the right edge of the strip 12. In other words, the length of any selected segment of any one of the horizontal lines of the chart is an aliquot portion of the width or length of the corresponding sheet. Assuming that it is desired to divide a sheet into five columns of equal width transversely of the sheet 26, the sheet being 8 /2 wide, sheet 26 is inserted beneath strip 12 with its right edge at the 5 mark of the space extending from the box marked 8 /2. The tip of the pointer 16 is then positioned at the right hand edge of the sheet, a line is drawn lengthwise of the sheet along the right edge of strip 12, the latter being depressed for holding the sheet 26 firmly in position during drawing of such line. After the line has been drawn, the strip 12 is released and the sheet 26 is moved toward the right to position with the tip of the pointer 16 on the line which has been drawn on sheet 26. The strip 12 is then again pressed downward into contact with sheet 26 on which a second line is drawn along the right edge of strip 12. The two lines then appearing on sheet 26 provide two columns each of a width equal to one-fifth of the total width of sheet 26. By repeating the operation the sheet 26 may be separated or divided into five columns all equal in width to one-fifth of the total width of the strip.

In certain cases it may be desirable to divide the sheet 26 into rectangles of uniform width and uniform length.

. Assuming the sheet 26 to be of conventional size, 8 /2" wide by 11" long, after it has been divided into five columns of equal width, as above explained, the sheet 26 is turned through and is positioned with its then upper edgeits side edge in contact with strip 11. Sheet 26 is then moved to the right to a position in which its right edge is on one of the segment marks, the mark numbered 7, for example, of the line extending from the 11 box. The tip of the pointer 16 is then positioned at the right edge of the sheet, the strip 12 is pressed down upon the sheet and a line is drawn on the sheet along the right edge of strip 12 intersecting the lengthwise lines previously drawn on sheet 26, as will be understood from FIG- URE 9. The pressure on strip 12 is then released and sheet 26 is moved toward the right a distance such that the tip of pointer 16 rests upon the line drawn on sheet 26, after which a second line is drawn on sheet 26 along the right edge of strip 12, the latter being pressed downward onto sheet 26, as before. As will be understood, the posit1on of the pointer 16 remains unchanged during such operations. By repeating the operation the sheet, i.e., the upper surface of the sheet 26, is divided into rectangles having a width equal to one-fifth of the width of the sheet and a length equal to one-seventh of the length of the sheet. Obviously, by proper selection of the segments of the chart a sheet of given dimensions corresponding to those appearing on the chart may be divided 1nto rectangles or columns of any desired width and length corresponding to the selected segments of the chart.

As will be understood from the above, the strips 11 and 12 together provide a T-square which is fixed to the base board or member 10. The head of the T-square provides a guide shoulder of substantial length and the stem thereof extends from the midlength of the shoulder providing a straight edge perpendicular thereto. Fixing of the T-square to the base member guards against displacement of either of the parts thereof and is conducive to accuracy and facility in the use of the device.

It will be understood that changes in detail may be resorted to Without departing from the field and scope of my invention, and I intend to include all such variations, as fall within the scope of the appended claims, in this application in which the preferred form only of my in vention has been disclosed.

I claim:

1. In a ruling device, a substantially rectangular base member having a continuous fiat and smooth upper surface, a T-square fixed to said surface comprising a head providing a guide shoulder of substantial length adjacent the upper end of said base member and a stem extending from approximately the mid length of said head toward the lower end of said base member and spaced above said surface providing therewith a slot for advancement beneath said stem beyond the rightedge thereof of a rectangular sheet of material with its upper edge seating against said shoulder, the right edge of said stem constituting a straight edge perpendicular to said shoulder, said base member having on its upper surface at the right of said stem and adjacent said head a chart having indicia and markings spaced different distances to the right of said stem and indicative of various Widths of sheets of material to be marked and of equal divisions of the respective widths of sheets, and a pointer pivoted at one end on said head and movable relative thereto to an inoperative position overlying said head and clear of the upper surface of said base member, said pointer being of such effective length as to be also movable to selected operative positions with its other end overlying said base member and spaced variable distances to the right of said stem respectively corresponding to said spacing of said markings of said chart.

2. In a ruling device, a substantially rectangular base member having a continuous and smooth upper surface and top and bottom and side edges, a T-square fixed to said base member, the head of said T-square providing a guide shoulder and the stem thereof providing a straight edge fixed to said head perpendicular to said shoulder, said stem being remote from the right side of said base member and spaced above the latter providing therewith a slot for advancing beneath said stem a rectangular sheet of paper with its upper edge seating against said shoulder, said base member having on its upper face a chart disposed to the right of said stem, said chart comprising a plurality of vertically spaced lines extending from said stem and numbers at the ends of said lines respectively indicating the width of a standard sheet of paper, each of said lines having a plurality of markings and indicia thereon providing segments of different lengths respectively equal to an aliquot portion of the width of a sheet corresponding to such line, and a pointer pivoted at one end on said T-square and fixed against lengthwise movement, said pointer having an effective length such that its free end may be positioned to the right of said stem at variable distances therefrom respectively corresponding to said markings of said chart.

3. In a ruling device, a substantially rectangular base member having a continuous and smooth upper surface and top and bottom and side edges, a T-square fixed to said base member, the head of said T-square providing a guide shoulder and the stem thereof providing a straight edge fixed to said head perpendicular to said shoulder, said head having at said shoulder a graduated scale extending from the right edge of said stem and the latter being remote from the right side of said base member and spaced above the latter providing therewith a slot for advancing beneath said stem a rectangular sheet of paper with its upper edge seating against said shoulder, said base member having on its upper face a chart disposed adjacent said shoulder and to the right of said stem, said chart comprising a plurality of vertically spaced lines extending from said stem and numbers at the ends of said lines respectively indicating the width of a standard sheet of paper, each of said lines having a plurality of markings and indicia thereon providing segments of different lengths respectively equal to an aliquot portion of the width of a sheet corresponding to such line, and a pointer pivoted at one end on said head of said T-square to the right of said stem and fixed against lengthwise movement, said pointer having an effective length such that its free end may be positioned to the right of said stem at variable distances therefrom respectively corresponding to the graduations of said scaie and to said markings of said chart selectively.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 270,847 Rodman Jan. 16, 1883 419,640 Class Jan. 21, 1890 827,233 Gould July 31, 1906 1,415,650 Johnson May 9, 1922 2,091,147 Hertzberg Aug. 24, 1937 2,246,088 Clementz 'June 17, 1941 FOREIGN PATENTS 425,383 France Apr. 4, 1911 422,603 Germany Dec. 5, 1925 1,098,126 France Mar. 2, 1955 

1. IN A RULING DEVICE, A SUBSTANTIALLY RECTANGULAR BASE MEMBER HAVING CONTINUOUS FLAT AND SMOOTH UPPER SURFACE, A T-SQUARE FIXED TO SAID SURFACE COMPRISING A HEAD PROVIDING A GUIDE SHOULDER OF SUBSTANTIAL LENGTH ADJACENT THE UPPER END OF SAID BASE MEMBER AND A STEM EXTENDING FROM APPROXIMATELY THE MIDLENGTH OF SAID HEAD TOWARD THE LOWER END OF SAID BASE MEMBER AND SPACED ABOVE SAID SURFACE PROVIDING THEREWITH A SLOT FOR ADVANCEMENT BENEATH SAID STEM BEYOND THE RIGHT EDGE THEREOF OF A RECTANGULAR SHEET OF MATERIAL WITH ITS UPPER EDGE SEATING AGAINST SAID SHOULDER, THE RIGHT EDGE OF SAID STEM CONSTITUTING A STRAIGHT EDGE PERPENDICULAR TO SAID SHOULDER, SAID BASE MEMBER HAVING ON ITS UPPER SURFACE AT THE RIGHT OF SAID STEM AND ADJACENT SAID HEAD A CHART HAVING INDICIA AND MARKINGS SPACED DIFFERENT DISTANCES TO THE RIGHT OF SAID STEM AND INDICATIVE OF VARIOUS WIDTHS OF SHEETS OF MATERIAL TO BE MARKED AND OF EQUAL DIVISION OF THE RESPECTIVE WIDTHS OF SHEETS, AND A POINTER PIVOTED AT ONE END ON SAID HEAD AND MOVABLE RELATIVE THERETO TO AN INOPERATIVE POSITION OVERLYING SAID HEAD AND CLEAR OF THE UPPER SURFACE OF SAID BASE MEMBER, SAID POINTER BEING OF SUCH EFFECTIVE LENGTH AS TO BE ALSO MOVABLE TO SELECTED OPERATIVE POSITIONS WITH ITS OTHER END OVERLYING SAID BASE MEMBER AND SPACED VARIABLE DISTANCES TO THE RIGHT OF SAID STEM RESPECTIVELY CORRESPONDING TO SAID SPACING OF SAID MARKINGS OF SAID CHART. 